Emio Thrills in App Review Roundup

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 5th, 2024. Already Thursday? Time flies! We're diving into reviews today, with in-depth looks at Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our contributor, Mikhail, also shares his thoughts on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. We'll then cover the day's hottest new releases and wrap up with lists of new and expiring sales. Let's get to it!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)

Resurrecting dormant franchises is all the rage, and Nintendo's revival of Famicom Detective Club is a prime example. This new installment follows the style of the recent remakes, offering a fascinating blend of old and new. The visuals are top-notch, the story pushes boundaries, but the gameplay retains a classic feel. This retro-style gameplay will be a key factor in whether or not you enjoy the game.

A student's death, marked by a smiling face, unearths a series of unsolved murders. The legend of Emio, a killer promising eternal smiles, surfaces. Is it a copycat, a resurrected killer, or just a legend? The Utsugi Detective Agency steps in, using classic investigation techniques to uncover the truth.

The gameplay involves searching scenes for clues, questioning characters (often repeatedly), and connecting the dots. While reminiscent of Ace Attorney investigations, some aspects could benefit from smoother execution and clearer signposting. However, within the context of its genre, Emio doesn't significantly stray from established conventions.

Despite some minor story criticisms, Emio is an engaging and well-written mystery. The plot is twisty and captivating, although some plot points might not resonate with everyone. To avoid spoilers, I'll simply say that the game's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, especially as the narrative progresses.

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is a unique offering from Nintendo. While its mechanics closely adhere to the originals, the plot is largely excellent. Minor pacing issues and resolutions don't detract from the overall enjoyable mystery experience. Welcome back, Detective Club!

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is getting a great selection of TMNT games. Splintered Fate offers a unique blend of beat 'em up and roguelite elements, reminiscent of Hades. Play solo or with up to four players locally or online. Online multiplayer worked well in our testing. While enjoyable solo, the experience is enhanced with multiple players.

Shredder and a mysterious force cause chaos, putting Splinter in danger. The Turtles must save him, battling Foot Soldiers and utilizing their skills. Gameplay involves combat, tactical dodging, perk collection, and permanent upgrades. Death sends you back to the lair to start again.

Splintered Fate isn't groundbreaking, but it's solid. TMNT fans will appreciate this twist on the familiar formula. The well-implemented multiplayer is a welcome addition. While other superior roguelites exist, Splintered Fate holds its own in a crowded genre.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food is a playful sandbox experience perfect for food and art enthusiasts. It's an interactive app-like game where you manipulate food items across various stages. While enjoyable on PC, the Switch version has some drawbacks.

The game's charm lies in its playful nature and the sheer variety of food interactions. However, the lack of touchscreen support on Switch is disappointing, and load times are lengthy.

Despite these issues, Nour: Play With Your Food offers a unique experience. While the Switch version isn't ideal, its portability makes it appealing. Hopefully, future DLC or a physical release will address these shortcomings.

Nour: Play With Your Food is a refreshing change of pace. While not perfect on Switch, it's a worthwhile experience for fans of interactive food-based art. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a welcome addition to the Switch and Steam libraries. This remaster of the 2004 visual novel is a fantastic entry point into the Fate universe, offering a compelling story and impressive value for its length.

The remaster includes English language support, 16:9 widescreen support, and improved visuals for modern displays. The extensive playtime (55+ hours) makes it an exceptional value.

The inclusion of touchscreen support on Switch is a significant improvement, making it a comfortable experience on both handheld and docked modes. It also performs well on Steam Deck.

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a must-have for visual novel fans. The affordable price makes it even more appealing. While not as visually stunning as some recent remakes, it's a high-quality experience. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)

This twin pack brings two VR titles to the Switch. TOKYO CHRONOS and ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos offer compelling sci-fi narratives. While TOKYO CHRONOS provides a solid visual novel experience, ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos stands out with its superior production values and engaging gameplay elements beyond the visual novel format.

The Switch version includes touchscreen support and rumble features, enhancing immersion. However, some camera movement issues are present.

Despite minor narrative shortcomings and performance hiccups, the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK is a great Switch experience. The added touch controls and rumble make it more immersive. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Select New Releases

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Sales

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That's all for today. We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, and sales. Thanks for reading!